Cleansing of condensers and like apparatus



Patented eb. 27, 1923. i

in, 1'' P CLEANSING or NoDrawing.""-"" To all whom it may aoncem:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS Gmmsmw MARTIN, a subject of the King of England, and residing at Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented Improvements in and Connected with the Cleansin of Condensers and like Apparatus of w ich the following is a specification.

'fhis invention has reference to the clean ing of condensers and like apparatus con nected with steam engines, and employed for condensin the steam discharged from them; and it as for its object to provide improvements whereby such cleaning is effected expeditiously, at a relatively small cost. In describing the mode of or means for cleaning condensers and like apparatus, it will be assumed that the condenser to be cleaned is one used for condensing the exhaust steam from marine en ine of the usual type, and from the tubes 0 which matters with which the tubes are coated, viz, scale or like adhering matters, have to be removed.

In cleaning a condenser according to this invention, a comparativel weak solution of nitric (or equivalent) aci is passed through the parts thereof for a suitable length of time, and after this has taken place, the acid solution is removed, and the apparatus is washed out with salt water, or fresh water.

The acid solution consists of a 4 per cent solution of nitric acid, or thereabouts; and

this is circulated through the tubes and water boxes or chambers of the apparatus until the adhering scale or matters are removed; and after the solution is removed water is passed through these parts, and all traces of the acid solution removed. By usin acid of this strength the metal of whic the tubes are made is not detrimentally affected.

It is found by actual experiment that the above method and means effectively cleanses the interior of all parts of the apparatus, viz, tubes and water boxes, in a comparativel short length of time, as when compared with the present mode of cleaning, which in many instances necessitates dismantling the apparatus and refixing, to ensure thorough cleansing of the tubes and other parts. Such a procedure takes days to accomplish whereas with the present invention, it is a matter of hours, such for instance as four hours, when the cleaning is raaiwis'eaiirsnsw MARTiNQQEfifiEBEQLQ. "1" I mfefle giro. a r sm gggnquamm; I

above. In carrying out the cleansing action, say 1n connection with a marine engine condenser, the main injection valve, and main discharge valve, are shut and the air escape cocks on the top of the water boxes opened; and connection is made by piping to the top and bottom boxes or compartments of one water end of the condenser, and also to a pump provided for circulating the acid liquid. The liquid is held in a tank, say about a 20 gallon tank, and a connection made with the pump from same.

The proportion of acid used should not exceed 5 per cent by weight of the liquid, and should be employed in the first instance to the strength of 4 per cent of the total.

amount of water used. I

Before cleansing the condenser is to be thoroughly drained of sea-water before the mixture of weak acid solution is pumped in and when the water boxes and tubes of the condenser are filled, which is ascertained by indications of the air escape cooks, the liquid is circulated throu h the condenser for about one hour. Some of the liquid is then pumped overboard, and the condition of the tubes can be examined afterremoving a manhole door; and if the tubes are found to be sufiiciently cleared the remainder of the mixture is pumped overboard; but if scale is still found to be adhering to the tubes, a further supply of weak acid is pumped in, and the 1whole circulated again as before for another our.

It is advisable, if practicable, to change the direction of the circulation each half hour.

On the completion of the cleansing or removal of scale and the condenser completely pumped out, the condensing water circulating pump is set going at full speed, and left running for an hour on the condenser, to wash away any traces of acid remaining in the tubes and water boxes.

While the invention has been described as applied to the cleansing of condensers, it is also applicable to the cleaning of like apparatus, such as feed water heaters, evaporators, coolers, and the like, and particularly those in which the tubes are made of metals of the kinds used in marine steam engine condensers.

effected by the method and set rculating the water thru the y means of the pump until all w h enrexnw d i6ri 'i'n presence 0 tw su b s c b g wltnesses.

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apparatus b vp n bywe g ion" thru the does not exceed fiv culating the solut is I H mm 951 Mai 19* n @519 w m M W w M M W 

